World's largest diabetes prevention trial recruiting
13 July 2003
Australian doctors are calling for people aged 50 and above who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes to enrol in the world’s largest-ever diabetes prevention trial.
The trial will examine ways of preventing the onset of, or delaying progression to, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in people who have a condition known as impaired glucose tolerance or IGT.
Anyone without diabetes aged 50 and above may be eligible to participate in this trial.
Doctors are particularly seeking people who meet any of the following criteria:
- are overweight and take little exercise;
- have high blood pressure or cholesterol;
- have heart or blood vessel disease;
- are a smoker;
- have a relative with type 2 diabetes; or
- have had abnormal blood sugar during pregnancy or on any other occasion.
People who are interested in participating in this trial should call (freecall) 1800 800 502 to register their interest. There are 10 study centres around Australia taking part in the trial. Participants will have to attend their study centre several times in the first 6 months of the trial and then twice a year over the rest of the 6-year trial period.
Callers will be screened and may be offered further tests to confirm their eligibility.
IGT affects about one in 8 Australians over the age of 40 and almost all of those affected are unaware of it. The condition can only be diagnosed with a blood test called an oral glucose tolerance test.
According to Dr Greg Fulcher, director of the department of endocrinology at Royal North Shore Hospital, participation in this international trial will assist Australian doctors in determining whether development of type 2 diabetes can be delayed, thereby reducing complications associated with the disease.
‘Once diabetes is established, it is very difficult to control. If we can treat people early enough, then it may be possible to delay the progression of the disease which has severe health risks, including cardiovascular disease, blindness and kidney damage,’ he said.
Studies show exercise and weight loss may control IGT. All participants in the trial will therefore be offered an internationally-developed healthy lifestyle programme considered to be highly beneficial in managing IGT.
Most participants will also receive medicines that may potentially help to prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: a fast-acting medicine that acts at meal times to control glucose spikes by increasing insulin secretion, and another medicine that controls high blood pressure and may also improve insulin action.
Last Reviewed: 10 July 2003
